"Do Not Wander Into Her Roadways"

Drawing a lesson from what he has seen, the wise king urges:  "And now, O sons, listen to me and pay attention to the sayings of my mouth.  May your heart not turn aside to her ways. Do not wander  into her roadways.  For many are the ones she has caused to fall down slain, and all those being killed by her are numerous.  The ways to Sheol her house is; they are descending to the interior rooms of death." - Proverbs 7:24-27.

Clearly, the counsel of Solomon is to turn aside from the death-dealing ways of and immoral person and "continue living."  (Proverbs 7:2) How timely this advice is for our day! Surely there is a need to avoid places frequented by those who are lying in wait to pick up prey.  Why should you subject yourself to their tactics by going to such places?  Indeed, why should you be the one "in want of heart" and wander into the roadways of a "foreigner"?

The "woman stranger" that the king saw enticed the young man with an invitation to "enjoy each other with love expressions."  Have not many youths-especially girls-been exploited in a similar way?  But consider: When someone tries  to draw you into sexual misconduct, is it true love of selfish lust?  Why would a man who genuinely loves a woman pressure her into violating her Christian  training and conscience?  "May your heart not turn aside" to such ways, admonishes Solomon.

The words of a seducer are usually smooth and well=calculated.  Keeping wisdom and understanding at our side will help us to see through them.  Never forgetting  what Jehovah has commanded  will safeguard us.  Therefore, may we always strive to 'keep God's commandments and continue living,' even  forever. -1 John 2:17.

Next time: Does Anyone Really Care?

The Watchtower, 2000